Smashed

Gr 9 Up–Traumatized freshman Katie Martin relays her story to a university shrink. Starting with the summer before her senior year, Katie describes working two jobs (teaching swimming lessons and scooping ice cream) and suffering from an absent mother and long-gone father. Katie finds herself surprised when Alec, a cruel, handsome jock, pursues her. She lets herself get “sucked in” by him despite her better judgment. Disaster strikes when Katie gets drunk at a party, drives them home, loses control of the car, and wakes up bloody with Alec in even worse shape beside her. After she walks to get them help, everyone assumes Alec was behind the wheel, and Katie doesn’t tell them otherwise. She starts fall field hockey with a chance for a college scholarship and an order from her coach that no team members will drink or do drugs and still play. She also begins the new school year with Alec in a sadistic position of power as the keeper of their shameful secret. She throws herself into preparing for the field hockey state championship, but her worries drive her to drink at home. Finally, at a New Year’s party, Katie finds she can’t escape Alec’s cruelty and the aftermath of his actions cause her to hit rock bottom. The compelling pace and relatable characters make this novel a solid recommendation for readers who enjoy Ellen Hopkins and Gail Giles but are looking for something less intense.-Suzanne Gordon, Peachtree Ridge High School, Suwanee, GA